Voluntary Sector: Greenpeace in Twitter drive

Greenpeace is combining the use of Twitter and celebrities in a new
drive to broaden its appeal and spark a mass movement against climate
change.

The NGO wants the general public to identify more closely with its
activists, by showing that they are 'normal people'. It hopes this will
encourage more people to take part in its campaigns.

Press officer James Turner said: 'Although our activists are brave, they
see themselves as normal members of the public. We want to break down
barriers between what we are doing and what people at home are
doing.'

Greenpeace has turned to Twitter in a bid to make its direct actions and
campaigns more interactive.

During recent direct action in Italy, when head of media Ben Stewart
climbed a power station to put pressure on the G8 leaders, people were
able to ask Stewart questions via Twitter. The Greenpeace man responded
to enquiries about how he felt physically, the logistics of how he got
up there and the reasons behind his actions.

'It is the first time we have established that communication channel,
and we have had very positive feedback,' said Turner. 'Twitter enables
people to be activists from their office desks. They can ask campaigners
questions and feel like they are taking part in a direct action.'

Greenpeace is using its Twitter account to speak directly to 10,000
online followers by sending out news that mainstream media might not
report.

The organisation is also stepping up the use of celebrities in its
campaigns, with Alistair McGowan, Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry all
getting involved. This is a trend that is occurring across the
environmental movement with, for example, Friends of the Earth using
Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke.

Turner said celebrities enabled the organisation to convey its message
to different audiences, and to varying sections of the media. But he
added: 'It's an important new avenue that we are exploring, but it is
just one tool in the box. We are not giving up on our traditional
campaigning and we are not dumbing down. All the celebrities with whom
we have worked are highly articulate, genuinely care and are energised
by the issue.'